Icing on the Cake

NINE

Sylvia, Sandra, and Sally were all in their various cars. Each of them had packed enough food that they were not even sure they would be able to finish. First, they went to a shopping mall before going for their picnic. After purchasing bags, gowns, shirts, skirts and shoes, they got into their car and drove off.

Then, they arrived at the park where they were having the picnic. They found somewhere to park and got down with their things. The park was beautiful with trees surrounding about half of it, a soft wide blanket of carpet grasses covering the whole ground. There was a playground present for the kids and a very large swimming pool.

They found an empty, nice spot at the park and started arranging their things. After arranging their table with their food – which was still covered – they hired three horses and rode. Then, they drove big play cars, rode bicycles, and went on the roller–coaster for five good times. They played some more, raced each other, and when they were finally exhausted, they went to their table and took some refreshing juices. Afterwards, they showered and swam before finally going to eat their food.

It was almost five – thirty when they started parking their things. They got into their cars and drove out of the park. After some few minutes, they got to Sylvia's house. They parked, got down, and went into the living room.

"Ah!" Sally sighed as she slumped into one of the sofa.

"This was the best day ever!" Sylvia said.

"Yeah, I can't remember the last time I had fun like this. It was like a lifetime ago," Sandra said and they all smiled.

"Thanks a lot, Sal," Sylvia said.

"You're welcome, love."

"We should just have it every Saturday," Sandra suggested.

Sylvia and Sally looked at each other, and then at Sandra before shaking their heads.

"Uh... don't you think that's too much?" Sylvia asked.

"Yeah, y'know, we spent money today. We surely can't do that every week," Sally said.

"Yeah, that's true." Sandra agreed. "Okay then, how about once in two months?"

"Yeah, that's okay. I'm going for it," Sylvia replied, raising her hand in approval.

"It's really nice. A brunch on Friday every two weeks, a shopping expedition every month, and an all–girls' outing every two months, that's cool. I'm game too," Sally said, beaming with smiles.

Just then, Mrs. Humphrey came in with Mary who greeted them all. They – Sylvia, Sally, and Sandra – also greeted Mrs. Humphrey while Mary went outside to bring in Sylvia's things.

"Um... Sylvia? Is Jaden inside?" Sally whispered softly.

Sylvia's eyes shone. "Are you crazy?" She threw a scatter cushion at Sally. "Don't start now."

Sally giggled.

"Speaking of Jaden, there's something I've been trying to remember since I met him," Sandra said, lost in thought.

"Sandra, are you okay?" Sally asked.

"Shh, I'm trying to remember."

"Uh... is it that diamond accessory collection you wanted to buy me?" Sylvia asked, trying to take advantage of the situation like they always did since they were young.

Sandra shook her head, frowning.

"Or is it that fancy handbag you wanted to get for me?" Sally asked too.

Sandra shook her head again.

"Maybe you promised to bake us a cake," Sally tried again, clapping her hands together.

Sylvia nodded in agreement with Sally but Sandra shook her head, frowning more.

"I'm trying to concentrate!"

Sylvia frowned a little. She glanced at Sally. Their little scheme was not working. Sally frowned too. It always worked on her, why on earth did it not ever work on Sandra? Even Sylvia had been a victim once or twice.

"I really think it's the accessories you wanted to buy me," Sylvia said wryly.

"Aha! I've got it," Sandra said.

"What is it?" Sylvia and Sally asked in unison.

"Haven't you guys ever thought if Jaden's surname is familiar?"

Sylvia and Sally looked at each other with thoughtful expressions on their faces before shaking their heads.

"But you know it's familiar, isn't it?"

"It's not a designer's name so I don't think so," Sylvia said.

"Neither is it a client's name," Sally said.

"So, haven't you ever heard of the name?" Sandra pressed further.

They both shook their heads.

"Anyway, I was watching the TV yesterday and I saw this advert of a company and the owner was Chris Ludascott. He could be the father of Jaden!"

There was silence for a while as what Sandra just said sank in.

"And he could not be!" Sylvia said, relaxing back into the sofa.

"Sylvia!" Sandra called.

"Oh puh–lease! Just what kind of person would live such life of luxury and come to work as a driver?" Sylvia asked.

Little silence.

"It happens."

"Except the person in question is crazy."

"But you once said he was crazy," Sally quipped.

Sylvia huffed. "But he's not stupid."

More silence.

"You said that once too."

She sighed and sat back up. "But let's face the facts. Who have you seen doing that kind of thing?"

"The only constant thing in the world is change, Sylvie. I haven't seen it happen, I know, but it can. After all, the world is made up of different kinds of people," Sandra said.

Sylvia snorted. "It could just be a coincidence."

"Yeah, it could," Sally agreed after a while. "It's not everyone who answers the same surname that are related. There's someone I know of. We answer the same surname but he's a Senator's son and I'm not his sister." She paused. "Although, it's a good thing we're not," she smirked.

"Why?" Sandra asked.

"Oh don't ask her why. It'd be because the guy is cute and tall and all that," Sylvia sneered.

"Yeah and I wonder if the guy she'll eventually get married to will be as handsome and tall as she dreams," Sandra said wryly.

Sylvia and Sandra laughed.

"Hey, do you guys realize I'm here?" Sally asked, frowning.

"Of course, we do."

"So what did our cute angel daydream about today?" Sylvia asked softly but with a tinge of sarcasm.

Sally quickly smiled. She started to get up and closing her eyes, she said, "I dreamt of two girls who got beaten because they were making jest of their princess!"

She started pursuing Sylvia and Sandra who got up and ran out of the house.

SOME MINUTES LATER, Sally, and Sandra stood up to go. They were in the living room again and after talking for a while, they decided it was late and the next day was church service.

Wayne and Ashley had returned earlier and had chatted a bit with Sally and Sandra. As they went outside to go, Sylvia followed them outside. They got to where their cars were parked and they both hugged Sylvia.

"Bye." Sally waved.

"See ya tomorrow," Sandra said.

"Yeah, bye," Sylvia said.

They got into their cars, started their engines, and drove out.

Sylvia went back into the house. Wayne and Ashley were in the living room talking about their day at work.

"Sylvia," Wayne called as she closed the door.

"Yes dad."

"Where is Jaden?"

"He's upstairs," she replied, quite confused at the question.

"I hope you both are getting along better now?"

"Oh! It's... much better than before."

Wayne nodded. "Y'know, I did what I did for your own good."

"Yeah, I know."

"Okay."

"Go on and change and come down for dinner," Ashley said. "And call Jaden down too," she added.

Sylvia nodded and went upstairs. Yeah, just great. Now, she would have to see Jaden again. And not only that, she was also going to eat at the same table with him. And what would her dad do if he heard that his daughter was falling for the driver he himself had hired to monitor her? She sighed. She entered her room and pulled off her clothes before going into the bathroom. She took a quick shower and wore a pink T–shirt and a pair of light blue shorts. Then, she went out to call Jaden.

She guessed she would just have to ask Jaden about what Sandra had said. And what if it was true, she thought. Well, a lot of things were going to change. She was sure he wouldn't go on working here. And then, it wouldn't be bad if she was attracted to him. Drat. Was she even thinking about that?

She knocked on his door. Once. Twice. No answer. Thrice.

"Yes?" Sylvia swallowed as his deep, husky voice sounded from within.

She heard the shuffling of his feet and she frowned. He didn't strike her as a lazy person, neither had she ever seen him being lazy. So, why the shuffling? And why was his voice that deep? She thought. Was he the one inside the room? But before she could analyze the reason for the huskiness of the voice, the door flew open. And she certainly wasn't prepared for what she saw.

His chest was bare again and all he wore was a pair of brown shorts and flip–flops. His face looked pale and he was looking very tired. What on earth was wrong with him?